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Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea (Cairns to Wewak), 12 Nights

Overview

Itinerary

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The exotic and mysterious lands of Papua New Guinea boast more than 600 islands and over 850 indigenous languages. Home to the largest area of intact rainforest outside the Amazon, guests will discover magnificent scenery ranging from pristine coral atolls to volcanic mountains, dense tropical rainforest and mighty rivers.

Join us aboard Coral Adventurer over 12 nights for the first portion of our New Guinea Circle cruise from Cairns to Wewak. Access remote communities inaccessible to most other ships; where traditional cultures remain strong and little changed by outside influence. Enjoy the warm and colourful welcome of the Papuans, as they welcome you into their villages and help you explore scenic highlights of their region.

Expeditions Highlights:

> Learn of Papua New Guinea’s military history and it’s role in World War II
> Hear of the mythical and spiritual tales of Dei Dei Hot Springs
> Find out how the Trobriand Islands became the ‘Islands of Love’
> Explore Tufi’s spectacular fjords
> Cruise the mighty Sepik River

Related Information

the itinerary

Embarkation: Board at Cairns’s Trinity Wharf at 7:30am for 9:00am departure.Disembarkation: Arrive and disembark in Wewak at 09:00am.

Day 1: Cairns

Board Coral Adventurer at 7:30am for an 9:00am departure. Leave Cairns behind as we begin our voyage towards Papua New Guinea. Take the opportunity to explore your new home and meet your fellow passengers. Enjoy the Captain’s welcome drinks at sunset before sitting down to the first of many delicious dinners.

Day 2: At Sea

The Coral Sea: spend the day at leisure as you get to know your travelling companions or join our Expedition Leader and Guest Lecturer in the Lounge for presentations and briefings on Papua New Guinea, ahead of our arrival into Samarai.

Day 3: Samarai

Rich in history, Samarai Island has been declared a National Historical Heritage Island. A colonial capital and provincial government headquarters until 1968, Samarai is now a historical highlight of Milne Bay, with the ruins of the old town providing photo opportunities.

Day 4: Dobu and Fergusson Islands

Join our Expedition Staff on a walk to Dei Dei Hot Springs, where the people share their mythical and spiritual tales of these hot water and mud springs. Learn of the history of the Kula Ring at Dobu Island and meet the local primary school children, who will welcome us with a traditional dance performance. Snorkel the bubbling Springs Reef.

Day 5: Trobriand Islands

Historically known as the ‘Islands of Love’, the Trobriands offer a glimpse of traditional culture largely unspoiled by outside influence. In the morning visit the island of Kuiawa to witness a traditional Trobriand dance performed by the colourfully costumed locals. Visit the local market and enjoy a swim off the adjacent island beach.

Day 6: Maclaren Harbour and Tufi Fjords

Local guides will paddles us on traditional canoes at Maclaren Harbour to their village in the rainforest. Be welcomed with dances, demonstrations and traditional crafts. Discover the scenic beauty of the rarely visited Maclaren Harbour. Over lunch soak up spectacular views as we cruise close to the towering cliffs before entering Tufi Fjord. Enjoy a leisurely swim and snorkel over colourful fringing reefs or visit the nearby resort for a relaxing time.

Day 7: Buna and Sanananda

The Battle of Buna saw some of the fiercest fighting between American, Australian and Japanese forces during the final stages of WW2. We walk through the jungle with the local villagers and discover the fascinating history. After lunch we visit beautiful Sanananda to visit the War Museum, which the villagers have built to honour both sides. You have the opportunity to meet the local village people and enjoy their lovely gardens.

Day 8: Fly Islands and Lababia

Awaken early and travel ashore for a morning of water activities at Fly Island, which has very colourful coral reefs. Enjoy snorkelling, diving or glass bottom boat tours. We visit the picturesque village of Lababia, gateway to one of the most important conservation areas in PNG, and enjoy welcome ceremonies and local dances. You may also paddle on local outriggers and enjoy a village walk and market.

Day 9: Dregerhafen

Today we visit Dregerhafen in the Finschhafen district of Morobe, famous for Tami bowls and timber paddles. Visit the village of Gingala for a high spirited PNG welcome. The markets will be open and there will be a chance to walk through the village with the locals. After lunch enjoy snorkelling, diving, glass bottom boat tours and kayaking in the waters of the lagoon. Finish the day with drinks on the sundeck and our famous BBQ.

Day 10: Tuam

Enjoy a presentation from our guest lecturer as we steam towards the remote island of Tuam in the Siassi group. Tuam features two well- known and successful dance groups who will perform as we wander through the village. Along the way peruse the market stalls. Enjoy a guided walk with the locals and finish the day with water activities in the crystal clear water.

Day 11: Historic Madang

Explore Madang, which sits on the peninsula surrounded by a number of picturesque islands and is famed for it’s waterfront setting and colonial history. Discover the surrounding area on our Madang tour and after lunch visit the markets where there is the opportunity to purchase a large selection of artefacts from the region.

Day 12: Sepik River- Bien Village, Volcanic Manam Island

At first light the Coral Discoverer enters into the mighty Sepik River. Our destination is the remote village of Bien where the locals are famous for their arts and crafts. A true Sepik welcome awaits us as we step ashore! Take the opportunity to purchase unique hand carvings the Sepik region is known for. As we depart from the great Sepik River, sail past the active volcano at Manam Island as we enjoy the Captains Farewell drinks.

Day 13: Wewak

Early this morning we arrive into the port town of Wewak, where we farewell our new found friends.

This itinerary is an indication of the destinations we visit and activities on offer. Throughout the expedition, we may make changes to the itinerary as necessary to maximise your expeditionary experience. Allowances may be made for seasonal variations, weather, tidal conditions and any other event that may affect the operation of the vessel. The itinerary includes the possibility of interaction with wild animals and this interaction is subject to the presence of this wildlife on the day.

Services of expedition staff and lecturers including briefings and knowledge-sharing sessions

Port taxes and government charges imposed by government authorities

Your cruise price does not include:

Pre and post flights, transfers and hotels

Entry visas/travel permits

Travel Insurance

Items of a personal nature including but not limited to phone and internet communications and bar charges (outside of the included drinks package as highlighted), laundry charges and souvenir purchases

Tipping not required:

Other cruise lines automatically add gratuities to your account and service charges to your bar invoices. On Coral Discoverer, our crew has no other agenda than your delight.

Now that you’ve chosen your cruise, our reservations specialists are on hand to assist with all of your booking arrangements.

To speak to our reservations specialists contact us during business hours on freecall 1800 079 545 (within Australia), or email cruise@coralexpeditions.com.

Don’t forget, we strongly recommend the purchase of Travel Insurance with any cruise purchase. See below for further details.

Recommended Cairns Hotels

Novotel Oasis Cairns Resort

Beautiful tropical and modern contemporary style is awaiting you at the Novotel Oasis Cairns Resort. Each spacious room features air-conditioning and a private balcony or terrace facing the resort pools, tropical gardens or Cairns city. A short stoll leads to many local restaurants and the Cairns waterfront with it many attractions.

Pullman Cairns International

The Pullman Cairns International is a beautiful five star heritage-style hotel, located right in the heart of the Cairns CBD. The hotel boasts 321 rooms, your choice of Executive Suites, Premium Rooms, Harbour View Rooms, or City Mountain View Rooms. All rooms are very spacious and include private balconies. Bathrooms feature Italian marble, with back-heated mirrors.

Pullman Reef Hotel & Casino

Nestled in the heart of Cairns just 200 metres from Trinity Wharf, the 5-star Pullman Reef Hotel offers luxuriously appointed rooms in an unmistakably Tropical North Queensland style and feature light timbers, plantation shutters, spa bath and private garden balcony. Outstanding service awaits at the Pullman.

Pacific, Cairns

Superbly located right on the Esplanade partially overlooking Trinity Harbour and parklands, with easy access to the restaurant precinct, night markets and more. All rooms have private balconies and feature tea and coffee facilities and WIFI. The popular Bushfire Flame Grill features Brazilian inspired, Australian style BBQ.